i879-] NOTES ON COLEUS. 519 



themselves included— and removing all the surface-soil off the borders 

 from 6 to 9 inches deep carefully with forks, preserving all the feeders 

 by tying them in bunches, and suspending them with a "soft" piece 

 of matting to the bole of the tree. Of course, if there is any suspicion 

 of the drainage of the borders being wrong, the better way would be 

 to lift the trees altogether, rectify the drainage, make new borders, and 

 replant ; but in the majority of cases, a good addition of fresh soil, with 

 an admixture of crushed bones and lime rubble, will answer the 

 purpose. 



In laying in the roots, they should be set thinly between the layers 

 of fresh soil ; and " knotty "-looking roots which produce suckers in 

 great quantity will be better removed altogether. After the borders 

 are made up to the required height, and made firm, according to the 

 condition of the soil, they should be mulched over with short, rotten 

 manure ; and if forcing be conducted slowly, until the roots lay hold 

 of the fresh food supplied to them, the trees will take out a fresh lease 

 of life, and increase their fruit-producing power threefold. The same 

 remarks will apply equally to early-forced Vines, except that in the 

 event of their being far wrong at the root, and new borders have to be 

 made, it is preferable to start with young Vines afresh, as I think it is 

 more cheerful to contemplate a prosperous future than to live upon the 

 thoughts of past achievements. W. Hinds. 



NOTES OH COLEUS. 



The cultivation of Coleus is comparatively easy, and so well under- 

 stood by the majority of gardeners, that cultural details are almost 

 unnecessary. Notwithstanding the ease with which they are propa- 

 gated and grown, which in a great measure accounts for their being 

 looked upon as common, what class of plants gives us so many beauti- 

 ful and striking features in their foliage 1 During summer we could 

 scarcely call a greenhouse or conservatory thoroughly furnished with- 

 out these singularly effective plants, they contrast so well with 

 flowering plants of every shade and hue. Their usefulness in this 

 respect is well known ; and in winter they are equally attractive in the 

 stove. The modern style of flower-gardening could not dispense with 

 them very well, at least with C. Verschaffeltii, with its rich crimson 

 leaves and its improved variety, which is even of greater brilliancy. 

 For the decoration of rooms during summer they are invaluable, and 

 stand well where gas is not used, — in fact, they can be used in warm 

 rooms throughout the greater part of the year. They scarcely repay 

 one for the labour and the space devoted to growing them in large 

 pots for winter decoration, except for the production of their bright 



